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Thome out of lineup due to neck spasms

Thome out of lineup due to neck spasms

BALTIMORE -- Jim Thome was not in Saturday's starting lineup, as the Orioles' designated hitter woke up with neck spasms that the team will try to calm down with anti-inflammatory medication and rest.

"I occasionally get stiff here and there, but what I woke up with today was more than I ever experienced," said Thome, who did not feel any discomfort during Friday night's game. "So I wanted to bring it to their attention."

Thome was seen by team doctors prior to Saturday's game and said the spasms are not related to the lower back injury that he dealt with earlier this year. The veteran was optimistic that the spasms wouldn't sideline him long, although he acknowledged it's tough to say for certain.

"I hope not," Thome said of a possible prolonged absence. "You can never predict those things. When you have a spasm, typically I don't know what the time frame is on that, but hopefully it will be a day or two."

Acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Phillies, Thome has hit .261 with two homers and six RBIs in 18 games with the Orioles. Chris Davis served as the O's DH in his place on Saturday.